Liquid spray apparatus



A119411; 1954 .1. B. LYMAN E'rAl.

LIQUID SPRAY APPARATUS Filed sept. 19, 1961 3,144,034 LEQUHD SPRAYAPPARATUS John E. Lyman, Minneapolis, and Wallace E. Lind, Anoka, Minn.,assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware FiledSept. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 139,114 7 Claims. (Cl. 134-176) This inventionrelates to spray devices and in particular to moving-path spray devices.

In apparatus such as dishwashers, lawn sprinklers, container cleanersand the like it is desirable to provide aV spray issuing in a movingpath so as to deliver the liquid to substantially all portions of apreselected space or area. The present invention is concerned with a newand improved moving-path spray device providing improved functioning insuch apparatus.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of anew and improved spray device.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a spray devicehaving a simple, economical construction while yet providing an improvedmoving-spray operation.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a spraydevice wherein a rotatable deflector lis waterbuoyed, providing improvedtrouble free operation.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a spraydevice adapted for use in apparatus such as dishwashers for providingimproved washing liquid distribution to the upper portion of the Washingspace.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connec- FIGURE is a perspective view ofthe deflector of the spray device.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in thedrawings, a dishwasher generally designated 10 is shown to comprise anouter enclosure 11 within which is mounted a tub 12 having a bottom 13spaced above the bottom Wall 14 of the enclosure 11. A lower y basket 15is disposed within the tub 12 adjacent bottom 13 and an upper basket 16is disposed within the tub adjacent the upper end 17 thereof. Washingliquid passing downwardly through a screen 18 to a sump 19 is pumped, bymeans of a pump 20 driven by an electric motor 21, upwardly through ahose 22 to a spray arm 23 rotatably mounted on a hub 24 ixedly securedto a drawn portion 25 of the tub bottom 13. The spray arm is providedwith a plurality of upwardly opening ports 26 from which the washingliquid issues in the form of a forceful jet-like stream so that as thespray arm revolves, the washing liquid is forceably delivered tosubstantially all portigns of the space within the tub 12.Illustratively, the pump 20 may be arranged to deliver approximately 31gallons per minute at a head of 25 feet through the spray arm 23.

To provide an improved delivery of the washing liquid to the upperportion of the space within tub 12, a second spray device generallydesignated 27 is mounted on the upper end 28 of a tubular duct 29 xedlysecured to stationary hub 24. A portion of the washing liquid deliveredfrom pump 20 is diverted to pass upwardly through duct 29 by means of adiverter 30 extending to within the lower end 31 of the duct 29. As bestseen in FIGURE l, the spray portion of the space within tub 12 adjacentupper end 17 to deliver the washing liquid directly to this portion of`the space.

Referring now more specically to FIGURES 2 through 5, the spray device27 may be seen to comprise a hub generally designated 32 having atubular lower end portion 33 fixedly fitted to the upper end 28 of theduct 29,

-a tubular lower mid-portion 34 having a slightly reduced inner diameterand defining at its lower end an annular radial shoulder 35a abuttingthe upper end of the duct,

an inturned upper mid-portion 35, `and -a tubular inwardly yspaced upperend portion 36 having a closed upper end wall 37. Upper mid-portion 35defines an upwardly facing, annular radial surface 38, and the lower endof portion 36 defines a plurality of flow passages 39 opening at theirupper ends vertically through surface 3S and communicating at theirlower ends with the space 40 within` the hub 32. The upper part of upperend portion 36 is provided with a plurality of flow passages 41 openingradially outwardly into the annular space 42 circumjacent` the endportion 36 and communicating inwardly with the internal space 40 of thehub 32.

An annular deector 43 is mounted for free rotation on the upper endportion 36 of the hub in overlying relationship with surface 38. As bestseen in FIGURE 5,

deector 43 defines a plurality of vanes 44 each curving from a baseportion 45 extending substantially in a transaxial plane perpendicularto the axis of the dellector to a tip portion 46 extending at asubstantial angle thereto, A

herein over 45 relative to the transaxial plane.

Spray device 27 further includes a cup-shaped cap 47 provided with atransverse end portion 48 facially secured to the end wall 37 of the hubby suitable means such as screw 49. The downturned side wall 50 of thecap 47 defines the radially outer boundary of annular space j 42 andextends downwardly to slightly above the midportion 45 of the deilector43.

As indicated briey above, a portion of the washing liquid delivered frompump 20 is directed by diverter 30 upwardly through duct 29. A portionof this washing liquid is directed through ow passages 39 to strike theunderside of deflector portion 45 thereby lifting the deflector to spaceit upwardly of the hub portion 35 thereby eiectively eliminatingfrictional engagement of the de-V lector with the hub portion 35. Asecond portion of the washing liquid delivered from duct 29 passesoutwardly through flow passages 41 into annular space 42 wherein it isredirected by the cap 47 to flow substantially Vertically downwardly andstrike the upper surface of the deflector mid-portion 45. This portionof the washing liquid then ows radially outwardly to pass between thedeflector and the lower end of the cap portion 5i) and in doing soimpinges on the Vanes 44 thereby causing the deilector to rotate aboutthe axis of the spray device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing liquid passing over the portion of eachVane extending generally transaxially (the leftward illustrated vaneportion) issues from the spray device generally in the transaxial plane.The portion of the washing liquid impinging on the most curved portionof each vane (the rightward vane portion in FIG. 2) is deflected therebyat a substantial angle to the transaxial plane, and in the illustratedembodiment at an angle of over 45 thereto. Thus, the path of the washJing liquid issuing from the spray device taken in any selected axialplane (e.g., the plane of the paper) varies from a path generallyparallel to the transaxial plane (i.e., a plane perpendicular to theplane of the paper and the axis of the deflector) to a large angle tothe transaxial plane as the deflector spins around on the hub.

Patented Aug. 11, 1964 device 27 is disposed at the bottom of the upperportion of the'tub 12 effectively assures full, thorough washing of theelements th'erein.

The spray device 27 may be utilized in other apparatus;

such as containercleaningapparatus or sprinklers. The

improved uniform distribution of the liquid provided bythe spray deviceassures uniform delivery to -the circumjacent space and thelimitationoffthe vmovement ofthe individual droplets substantially-toaxial planes-assures effectively maximum utilization of theliquidpressure in the outward force of the spray, The'buoyin'g-of thedeflector by the liquid passing upwardly through the passages 39 againstthe underside thereof effectively assures long, trouble-free operationasfriction is effectively minimized. Further, the utilization of theoutwardly issuing water -1t self to effect therotation of the deflectoreliminates theV need for driving-mechanism, ygreatly simplifying theassociated structure Vand thereby effectively minimizing the cost of theapparatus. K

Having described your invention as related to thev embodiment shown inthe accompanyings, it is our intention that the invention benot limitedbyV any of therdetails of;

description, unless otherwise specified, but ratherbe construed broadlywithin'itsv spirit and lscope as set out in the accompanying claims.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or'privilegeis claimed as defined as follows: 1. In a washer apparatushavingA means defininga washing space including a lower and anupperportion, andJ means in the lower portion-'forv forcibly distributingwashing liquid through said space` to wash elements such as dishes andthe like therein, means for forcibly distributing washing liquid throughsaid upper portion comprising: a

fixed duct having an outlet end at the`bottom of the upperv spaceportion for delivering washing liquid under pres-v sure upwardlythereto; defiecting means movablycarried` by said duct end; andrmeansfor directing washing liquid delivered through said duct'against boththe top and the bottomlofthekdeflecting means to supportthe defiectingmeans on the liquid being delivered, said deflecting directing theywashing liquiddelivered throughsaid 'duct end onto the top thereof intoa path vertically reciprocating through said upper space portion.

2. A sprayfdevice comprising: a hub having afirst portion defining anupper transverse surface, and a second portion extending upwardlytherefrom, said surface extending circumjacent the inner end of saidsecond portion, said first portion defining a first .tiow passageopening through said surface for directing liquid upwardly therefrom,said second portion defining a second fiow passage for directing liquidto the space the deflector rotatively about the axis of'saidsecond issuelaterally away from saidv portion of the hub and to space in a spraypath, the rotation of said defiector vane causing reciprocation of saidspray path in a plane of said axis.

3. The spray deflector ofclaim 2 wherein said liquid directing meanscomprises a cup-shaped member co- IIICBHS Y adjacent said-j secondportion; a deflector extending-rotatably aroundV 'said space axiallysecured to the outer end of said second portion and opening downwardlytoward said surface.`

4. A spray device comprising: a hub having a lirst vertical cylindricalportion detining an upper, planar, transverse surface, and a secondcylindrical, diametrically reduced portion extending lcoaxially upwardlytherefrom, said firstl portion defining aplurality of first fiowpassages each Yopening through saidsurface parallel to the axis of thehub for directing liquid upwardly therefrom, said second portiondefining a'plurality of second flow passages fordirecti'ngliquidradially outwardly therefrom to the circurnjacent space;a deliector extending rotatably around lsaid 'hub secondportion andtransaxially across said space adjacent said surface tol be supportedspaced from saidr surface byliquid passing outwardly through said rstflow passage, of circumferentially related Vanes; and means directingliquid from said second flow passages to impinge downwardly on saidlvanes andy propel` the deiector rotatively about the axis of said hubsecond portion and to issue laterally away from said space in a spraypath, the rotation of said' deflector'causing said vanes to reciprocatesaid spray path parallel to the axis of said hub;

5. The spray device of claim 4 wherein said liquid directing meanscomprises a cap having a transverse end portionfsecured to the outer endof said hub second portion, and a tubular portion extendingconcentrically of'said hub'second portion and downwardly from said endportion to adjacent said deflector.

6. The spray deflector of claim 4 wherein said vanes are curved from aplane substantially perpendicular to` said axis to over 45 away fromsaid plane to reciprocate said spray path through a corresponding angle.

'7.' For use in a washing-apparatus having means defining a washingspace including a lower and an upper portion, and means inthe lowerportion for forcibly distributing washing liquid through said space towash elements such as dishes and the like therein, means for forciblydistributing washing-liquid through said upper portion comprising:A afixed duct extending vertically in the washing space including an'outlethub at the bottom of the upper spaced portion,'said hub having a firstportion dening an upper transverse surface, and a second portionextending upwardly therefrom, said surface extending Circumjacent theinner end of said second portion, said first portion defining a firstlflow passage opening through said surfacefor directing liquid upwardlytherefrom, said second portion defining a second flow passage fordirecting liquid to the space adjacent said second portion; a defiectorextending Yrotatably around said second portion and transversely acrosssaid space adjacent said surface to be supported spaced -above saidsurface by liquid passing upwardly through said first flow passage, saiddefiector defining a vane; and means directing liquid from said secondfiow passage downwardly toward said surface to irnpinge on'said vane andpropel the deector rotatively about theV axis of saidsecondportionof thehub and to issue laterally away from said space in a spray path, therotation of said deflector Vane causing reciprocation of saidspray pathin a plane of said axis.

References' Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS saiddetiector defining a plurality

1. IN A WASHER APPARATUS HAVING MEANS DEFINING A WASHING SPACE INCLUDINGA LOWER AND AN UPPER PORTION, AND MEANS IN THE LOWER PORTION FORFORCIBLY DISTRIBUTING WASHING LIQUID THROUGH SAID SPACE TO WASH ELEMENTSSUCH AS DISHES AND THE LIKE THEREIN, MEANS FOR FORCIBLY DISTRIBUTINGWASHING LIQUID THROUGH SAID UPPER PORTION COMPRISING: A FIXED DUCTHAVING AN OUTLET END AT THE BOTTOM OF THE UPPER SPACE PORTION FORDELIVERING WASHING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE UPWARDLY THERETO; DEFLECTINGMEANS MOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID DUCT END; AND MEANS FOR DIRECTING WASHINGLIQUID DELIVERED THROUGH SAID DUCT AGAINST BOTH THE TOP AND THE BOTTOMOF THE DEFLECTING MEANS TO SUPPORT THE DEFLECTING MEANS ON THE LIQUIDBEING DELIVERED, SAID DEFLECTING MEANS DIRECTING THE WASHING LIQUIDDELIVERED THROUGH SAID DUCT END ONTO THE TOP THEREOF INTO A PATHVERTICALLY RECIPROCATING THROUGH SAID UPPER SPACE PORTION.